Type-writing machine.



W..P. KIDDER.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APYLIOATION FILED APKZE, 1906.

1,121,018. P11611191 Dec. 15, 914. 9

llhll i iili v @TATJEd PATENT @FFIGE.

WELLINGTON PARKER KIDDER, 0:5 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNTE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE NOISELESS TYPEW'BITER COMPANY, OF MIDDLETOWN, CON- NECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Application filed April 25,

Y '0 all LU/LINN it "my manor/1.:

lie it known that I, WnLLmoToN Panama Kmnnn, residing at lloston, in the county of buii'oll; and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful improvements in 'lype-Writing h'lachines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact de scription, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. 1

This invention relates to typewriting machines, and has special reference to the linespacing mechanism.

The principal object in contemplation is to embody in a typewriting machine, mechanism of the above character which shall be positive and reliable in action, easy of adjustment and, at the same time, of such construction as will enable it to be operated without the production of noise. thereby adapting the same especially for use in noiselessly operating typewriters,

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and z-irrangeinent of parts, which will be ravmrrpliligal in the mechanism hereinatter describe-d, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

in the accompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated one oi the various possible embodiments of lily-invention, Figure l is a view in elevation, showing a portion of av typewriting machine embodying the same. Fig. 2 is a similar View, but showing the operative mechanism in a diii'crent position. l ig. I; is a vertical sectional view taken on line r4-11, Fig. l, certain of the parts being shown in elevation.

Similar reference characters retler to similar parts throughoutthe several figures of the drawing.

in typewriting machines as heretoi m'e,

consl llllitll. considerable noise has been produced by the clicking oi" the pawl and ratchet mechanism employed to effect the line-spacing movement of the platen, but by my invention, which I shall presently describe in detail, I have provided a construction whereby all noise in operation is :n'oided. l secure this noiseless operation Specification of Letters Patent.

Pa tented Deca15, 1914.

1808. Serial No. 313,528.

by so mounting the actuator or feed-pawl that the same will be normally held out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel on the platen, but will be automatically thrown into engagement therewith on the upward or working thrust of the pawl, and automatically disengaged therefrom on the be ginning oi the downward or return stroke, so as to ride free of such ratchet. I have, moreover, obtained the above and other desired ends through the provision of exceedingly simple mechanism, as will be apparent herematter.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein. i have shown a portion of a typewriting machine sufiicient to illustrate the structural features of my invention and the novel principles involved therein, 1 denotes a portion of the platen frame or carriage having at either end thereof uprights 2, but one of which is shown, as in'the drawings there is illustrated only that portion of the platenframe whereon my invention is employed. It will be understood, of course, that the opposite end of the platen frame is provided with an upright similar to that shown in the drawing. .lournaled in uprights Land extending therebetween is a shaft 3 upon which is mounted the paper-roll or platen l, securely positioned thereon and adapted to rotate with said shaft to feed the paper for line-spa eing. Platen-shaft 3 extends at either end outwardly from uprights 2 and has fixed thereon the usual small hand-wheels or knobs, one of which is shown at 5, serving to turnthe platen in its hearing for universal spacing.

The platen is adapted, through shaft 3, to be rotated for line-spacing through the instrumentality of a spacing element positioned upon said shaft, such spacing elemeat being in the present instance comprised by a crown ratchet-wheel 6, the teeth of which extend inwardly toward the end of the platenand have their working shoulders faced downwardly as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Upon a lateral extension or bracket 7 of platen-frame 1 is pivoted as at 8 one leg 9 of a line-spacing lever 10, provided with a hand-engaging portion 11, and carrying upon another leg 9" as at 12; by means of pivot 13, an actuator or feed-pawl 14, S816.

feed-pawl being loosely mounted upon its pivot for a purpose which will be presently explained. Bracket 7 has mounted thereon an upwardly extending plate 15, provided on its exposed face with a friction surface against which bears a lateral projection or tail piece 16 extending from the feed-pawl. Upright 2 of the platen-carriage is in the present instance, provided With a laterally extending lug 17 which is shown as being integral therewith and which is cam-faced as at 18. This projection or lug constitutes a fixed stop to limit the upward or feeding thrust of the actuating pawl, which is turned at its upper end at 14 to cooperate with the cam surface of said stop. a

In order that variable line-spacing movements of the platen may be effected, a movable stop-device is arranged beneath the actuator or feed-pawl. This stop-device is comprised by a detent 19 having a plurality of stepped abutments or shoulders 20 and is jou'rnaled upon a stud-screw 21 threaded into the end wall of the platen-carriage.

Detent 19 is capable of adjustment upon stud-screw 21 by means of knurled handle or knob 22 to. carry any one of the shoulders in the path of tail piece 16 of the feedpawl 1st, so as to intercept or arrest said pawl as it oscillates to its normal or initial position, the detent being held in its several adjusted positions by a pin 23 engaging with any one of series of slight depressions 2i arranged on the end wall of the platencarriage. Spacing-lever 10 is provided. with a returning spring 25 to normally hold the same in such position that the tail piece of feed-pawl 1 1 is engaged with one of the several stepped shoulders 'of detent 19; and

feed-pawl 14L is provided with a lug 26 engaging with the end wall of the -platen-.

frame, such engagement limiting its pivotal movement from the ratchet-wheel and holding the same in the position shown in Fig. 1'.

Having thus described the structural features comprising this adaptation of my invention, the operation thereof may now be understood. I

\Vith the parts in the position as shown in Fig. l, a pull on the spacing-lever 10, as when it is desired to return the carriage to initial position to commence a new line, will first swing said lever upon its pivot and by means of leg 9 will lift feed-pawl l i, which is loosely pivoted thereon, as above ex plained. During this movement of the feed-pawl tail piece 16, arranged to one side thereof, by its frictional engagement or drag along plate 15, tends to retard that portion, which retardation swings said pawl upon its pivot and in the continued upward move ment thereof forces the same into engagement with one of the teeth of crown ratchetwheel 6; and thereafter .said ratchet-wheel parts prevent a further pivotal movement of the spacing lever, whereby a continued pull on said lever will carry the carriage to its initial or line-commencing position. Upon the release of pressure from spacinglever 10, said lever will, under the influence of spring 25, be returned to normal position, but, on the beginning of the downward or return stroke, the drag produced upon plate 15 by the frictional contact therewith of tail piece 16 of feed-pawl 14 will swing said pawl out of engagement with ratchet-wheel 6, so that the same will ride clear of said ratchet-wheel during its movement to initial position. The adjustment of detent 19 determines the extent of movement of feed-pawl let on its return 'pl-icity and efficiency for attaining the objects of my invention. As the feed-pawl is normally disengaged from the ratchet-wheel and is in engagement therewith only when the platen is being rotated for line-spacing, such operation may be accomplished with the production of little noise, since the feedpawl is not allowed to drag or click over the teeth of the ratchet-wheel, but 1s swung by means of the friction drag from iis engagement therewith, so as to ride free therefrom while returning to initial position. will be apparent the friction may be applied to the feed-pawl .in other ways than that herein shown, it only being); necessary to create a friction or drag upon one side of the pivot, whereby the working end of such pawl will be engaged will: the ratchet. Also, as will be obvious, the mechanism abo e-described may be used with great facility in other relations, although it is particularly valuable and useful in the relation herein shown.

As many changes could be made in, the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments of my invention could he made without departing from the scope thereof, I intend that all matter contained in the above des ription or shown in the accompanying drawing shall he in, terpreted as illustrative and not in a limit in I sense.

llaving described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a typewritiug machine, the combination with the platen and its ratchet-wheel, of a line-spacing lever, an actuator carried by said line-spacing le 'er, and a friction device with which a portion of said actuator engages, whereby the same is swung into engagement with the teeth of said ratchet wheel when said linespacing lever is operated for line-spacing, said device being also adapted by its frictional ei'igageineut with said portion oi the actuator to swing the same from the teeth of said ratehetovheel during the returning movement of said linespacing lever to initial position.

2. in a typcwriting machine, the combina tion with the platen and a ratchet-wheel carried thereby, of a line-spacing lever having an actuating, movement in the direction of the axis of the platen, an actuator having a pivotal connection with said line-spacing lever, frictional means associated with said actuator wherehysaid actuator is adapted to he moved into engagement with said ratchetwhecl during movement of said line-spacing lever for line-spacing and being also adapted to ride free therefrom during the return movement of said line-spacing lever.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combination with the platen and its ratchet, of a line-spacing lever, an actuator loosel i pivoted upon said line-spacing lever, and means, free from said actuator hut friction ally contacting therewith to swing the same into engagement with said ratchet when said line-spacing lever is operated for linespacing, and to swing said actuator clear of the ratchet during the returning of said liiu --spaein; lever to initial position.

l. in a typewriting machine, the C(ill'lbllllttiou with the platen and its ratchet, ofa line-spacing lever. an actuator havin a.

loose pivotal connection thereon, and Trietional means for automatically swinging said actuator toward and from said ratchet during the line-spacing and returning move-- ments, respectively, of said line-spacing lever.

In a tvpewriting machine, the combination with the platen and its ratchet-wheel, of a line-spacing lever, an actuator having a loos pivotal connection thereon, and a stationary friction device with which a portion of said actuator engages. whereby the same is swung to engage the teeth of said ratclu-twheel during: movement of said fine-spacing leier for line-spacing. said device being also adapted to swing said actuator to clear the ratchet during the returning movement of said line-spacing lever.

(3. In a typeu'riting ma hine, the combination with the platen frame and. platen, of a ratchet-wheel on the platen, a line-spacing l ver pivotally illOllllllUll upon the platen l'rauie, an actuator loosely pivoted upon said line-spacing lever, and means arranged intermediate the pivotal support of said linespacing lever and that of said actuator adapted trictionally to engage said actuator and move tlie'sau'ie into engagement with said ratchct-wheel when the line-spacing lever is operated for line-spacin T. in a typewriting machine, the combination with the platen-carriage and platen, of a ratchet carried by the platen, a linc spacing lever pivoted upon a bracket extended from the platen-carriage, a feedii'ig-pawl pivoted upon the line-spacing lever, and a friction plate engaging a portion of said feeding-pawl to move said pawl into engagement with said ratchet when the said line spacing lever is moved in its line-spacing direction and to disengage the same from said ratchet during the, returning of said linespacing lever to initial position.

8. .ln a typewriting machine, the combination with the platen-carriage and. a platen, of a ratchet carried by the plz itcn, afeedin pawl for the ratchet, a line-spacing lever having one of its legs pivoted nponthe platenrarriage and upon the other leg of which said feeding-pawl. is pivoted, and a plate arranged intermediate the pivotal support of said line-spacing lcer and that of said pawl frictionaliy to swing said feedingpawl into engagement with said ratchet when the line-spacing lever is operated for line-spacing and out of engagement there with when said ratchet is returning to initial position.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combina tion with a platen-carria .e and a platen carried thereby, of a rate et carried by the platen, a line spacing lever having an actuating movement in the direction of the axis of the platen, an actuator pivotally mounted directly on said lever, and afriction device mounted on the platen carriage in frictional engagement with said actuator to swing the actuator into lind ut of engagement with the ratchet during the swinging movement of the line spacing lever.

10. in a typewriting macuine, the coinhination with the platen and its ratchet, of a line-spacing lever having an actuating movement; in the direction of the axis of the platen. feeding-pawl pivotally mounted thereon. and a moi'ahle stepped-stop, which, h its engagement with said pawl, determines the point of initial engagement thereof with said ratchet, and a fixed stop for limiting the feeding-thrust of said pawl.

il. in a t vpewriting machine, in combination, a frame, a platen, a ratchetasso eiated therewith, a iine'spacing levenhnd a frictionally actuated pawl mounted on said lever in frictional contact with a portion of the. frame adapted to be moved into engagement with said ratchet when said linespaeing lever is actuated and to be withdrawn from engagement with said ratchet upon the return movement of said linespacing lever.

12. In a typewriting machine, a platen, a ratchet associated therewith, a line-spacing lever, an actuator for the ratchet normally out of engagement therewith, and means frictionally engaging said actuator adapted to swing the same into engagement with said ratchet when said line-spacing lever is operated for line-spacing.

13. In a typewriting machine, the combination with-the platen and its ratchet-wheel, of an actuator for said ratchet wheel a linespacing lever upon which said actuator is pivotally supported. having an actuating movement in the direction of the axis of the platen, a shittable stop device provided I with a plurality of stop elements, each of which is adapted to determine the point ofengagement of said. actuator with said ratchet-wheel. and a fixed stop element for limiting the thrust of said actuator.-

14. A line-spacing mechanism for typewriters con'iprising a 'ilatcn-carriage, a ratchet-wheel, a line-spacinglever, a pivotally mounted actuator carried thereby. a variable stop device CliS]')OSC(l for presentation to the actuator to normally hold the same out of engagement with said ratchetwheel. a fixed stop for limiting th thrust of said actuator, and a device for frictionally engaging said actuator to earrv the same into and out of engagemei'it with said ratchet-wheel during the feeding and returning, rcs nctively, of said line-spacing lever.

15. A line-spacing mechanism for typewriting machines eoi'nprising a platen and its ratchet-wheel an actuator for the ratchetwhecl. a. line-spacing lever upon which said actuator is pivotei'ha variable stop device for determining the normal position of said actuator with respect to said ratchet-"1theel. said device also operating normally to hold the same out oi engagement therewith. a fixed stop 'l'or limiting tlie thrust of said actuator while in migagcment with said ratchet-wlwcl. and a friction device engaging said art'iator at one side of its pivotal support herein th same is engaged with said ratcbet-wlicel during the movement of said lime-spacing lever for lini'i-spacing and isdiscngagnnl from said atchet-wheel during the returning ol said line-spacing lever to initial position.

16. In a: typewriting machine, in combilever is operated. for line-spacing, said plate being also a daptcd to diseu gage said feedingpawl from said ratchetovheel during the re turning movement oi said line-spacing lever toward normal position. a fixed stop for limiting the feeding thrust of said pawl, and a stop device carried by the platen-carriage and provided with a plurality of shoulders, each of which is adapted to be interposed in the path of the tail piece of said pawl whereby saidpawl may be normally maintained in a plurality of predetermined positions with respect to said ratchet-wheel.

V17. ln a typmvriting machine, the combination with a. platen and a ratchet assoa ciatcd therewith for line sp'suring the same. of a line spacing lever, a pawl actuated thereby. and a stationary plate 1n contact with said pawl in all positions whereby said pawl is moved into engagement with said ratchet when the line spacing lever is actuated. 7

1 in a typewriting machine, the combination, with aplaten and a ratchet operat-ivelv associated therewith, of a line spacing lever. a pawl pivota ly mounted on said lever. and. a stationary plate in frictional.

contact with said. pawl at all times whereby it is trictionally actuated and swung about its pivot on said line-spacing lever when said lever is actuated to carry thepawl into engagement with said ratchet.

19. Tu a tvpewriting machine, in combination, a frame, a platen thereon, a ratchet at one end of said platen, a line-spacing lever. and a frictionally actuated pawl movable relativclv thereto in a. plane parallel to and closeli adjacent the plane of movement of said lever as it is actuated, whereby said pawl is carried into and out of engagemcnt with saidratchet as saidlever oscillates.

in testimony whereof I my signature,

1 in the presence of two witnesses.

WELLINGTON PARKER KIDDE R.

17" itnesses A Cumulus H. W'nsos, HjM. Sl-IAMANS. 

